Attachment for printing presses



Sept. 21, '1943. a. B. SAMMONS 2,329,857

ATTACHMENT FOR PRINTING PRES SES Filed Jan. 28, 1941 5 1393. faminqna,

Patented Sept. 21, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ATTACHMENT FOR PRINTING PREssEs George. B. Sammons, Washington, D. C. Application JanuaryZS, 1941, Serial No. 376,400 1 12 Claims. (01. Mil- 4:16) l The present invention relates to attachments for printing presses and refersparticularly to a flame guard for the outfeed end of a printing press.

In the operation of printing presses it has been foundv that the printed sheets become charged with static electricity. This has the efiect of making the sheets stick or adhere to each other after they have been deposited in the discharge hopper or receptacle. H

To eliminate this objectionable feature, ithas been customary to place a flame producing means in the path of the sheets, between the end of the sheet feeding means and the discharge hopper. The flame tends to discharge or eliminate the charge of static electricity from the sheets and thus prevents them from sticking together after they are deposited in the hopper. g In actual practice, I have ascertained that in many instances, a sheet of paper will accidentally come to rest over the flame or will bounce back from the hopper after it has passed over the flame. In either instance the flame will immediately ignite the sheet, making it necessary to stop the press until the burning sheet can be removed. This greatly impairs theefiiciency, of

the press and causes considerable loss of time as well as possible injury to the press.

The present invention is designed to eliminate this objectionable feature by providing means for momentarily shielding the flame after a sheet has passed over the flame, and during the interval between the discharge oi one sheet; into the hopper and the presentation of the next sheet to the flame. Thus, if for any reason a sheet should accidentally come to rest over the flame instead of being deposited in the hopper, or if it should accidentally bounce back. from the hopper, the shielding means preventsburning of the paper or at least preventsany; sustained or uninterrupted action of the flame upon the sheet, so thatv the attendantwill have an opportunity to remove the sheet before it becomes ignited. x i I 3 In association with the flameshielding means,

a gas control valve'is provided and this valve is connected with the 'flame shielding meanswhereby the flame is diminished during the operation of the shield; that is thereis a co:-

operation of these elements; to .jsimultaneously. diminish the flame and shield it momentarily from the sheets after each sheethaspassedover the flame.

addition to the fiame shielding man have lalso,.providedi means, preferably located between the flame producing means and the hopper for preventing accidental return of the sheets over theflame after'they have beendeposited in .the hopper. j

With the foregoing and'other. objects in View the inventionwill .nowbe more fully described, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which: 1

,Figure l is aside elevation partly in section of 'thepresent invention, f Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view thereofland r Figure 3 isa modification of the guard.

Referring now to the drawing, the numeral I0 designates the outfeed or discharge end of a printing'press.- This may be' ,of any desired construction and in the drawing is illustrated as comprising a pair of upper and lower jconveyors H and [2, respectively. The discharge end of the upper conveyor travels around aroller l3, while the lower conveyor passes over rollers l4, l5 and I6, respectively. 1 r

The conveyors and rollers are mounted on a longitudinally extending frame" consisting in part of spacedside frame members or bars I8 and I9, respectively. Within the frame ll is also mounted asheet receivinghopper or repository 2!] having a vertically extending wall 2| adjacent to but spaced a slight distance from the end of the conveyors H and 12. This hopper is provided with a movable bottom wall 22 which is "automatically lowered to accommodate the sheets as they are deposited in the hopper from'the out feed end of the printing press.

Sufficient space is provided between the ends of the conveyors II and I2 and the wall 2| of the hopper for the reception of a flame producing means- Inthe present instance this comprisesa'perforated pipe-23 extending transversely of'theframe so as to produce a flame extending across the path of the sheets as they are discharged from the conveyors. H and I2 into the hopper 2B; As previously explained, the purpose of the flame is to eliminate or discharge the charges of static electricity in the sheets so as to prevent them from sticking together after they have been deposited in the hopper 20.

The perforated pipe 23 may be mounted in any desired manner such as by means of a pluralityizif spacedblocks 24 secured to the upper 'endgof the wall 2| by means of fastening elements 25. As shown in Figural, these blocks are matched to partiallyreceive the pipe. One

end of the pipe is closed, while the other end connectswith a supply line 26',-through which gas or other illuminating medium is supplied to the pipe 23. In the event that a sheet accidentally comes to rest over the pipe during the operation of the press, or if a sheet should bounce back out of the hopper to a position over the flame, the flame issuing from the pipe 23 would ignite the paper and possibly cause damage to the machine and make it necessary to temporarily stop operation of the press. The present invention is designed to eliminate this objectionable feature so that if a sheet shouldaccidentally come to rest over the pipe 23, the operator or attendant will have ample opportunity to re-.

move the sheet before it is ignited by the flame.

This mechanism comprises means for momentarily shielding the flame directly after a sheet has been deposited in the hopper and before the next sheet is discharged from theconveyors H and [2. One embodiment of this shielding means is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and comprises a curved plate 26 fixed to a shaft 21 which extends transversely of the frame and has its opposite ends journalled in a pair of upstanding posts 28 and 29, respectively, mounted; on the side frame members or bars (8 and 19. As will'be observed,

the shaft 27 extends in close proximity to the pipe 23'so that upon rotation thereof, the plate or shield 25 may be moved directlyover the per forations 36 of the pipe and thus shield the flame from the sheets passingfrom the conveyors 9 ing stem 43 which is adjustably connected to a rod 44 pivoted to one end of an arm 45, the other end of this arm being fixed to the shaft 3|, It will be apparent that as the shaft 3| is actuated to oscillate the plates and transmit an oscillating motion to the shield 26, it also oscillates the arm 45, reciprocating the valve stem 43 and intermittently decreasing the flow of gas to the pipe 23. It is to be understood that the operation of the valve does not entirely out off the flow of gas to the pipe but merely decreases it to such an extent that the flame is greatly diminished at the time that the shield 26 is positioned over the perforations 38.

"With the present construction I have provided .means for simultaneousl diminishing the flame nismdoes not form part of the present invention,

only that portion which directly concerns the shielding mechanism 26 has been illustrated. This comprises a cross shaft 3i journalled in the posts 28 and 29 above the shaft 27.. 'At each end. of the shaft 31 inside its respective post is located-a sleeve 32 which is adjustably secured to the. shaft by means of a set screw 33. Each sleeve 32 is provided with an integral and downwardly extending arm 34jwhich, in turn, is ad.- justably connected to a flat plate 35' by means of fastening elements 36. The lower end of each plate 35 is formed with a plurality of teeth which mesh with cooperating teeth upon an arm '3'! secured to a sleeve 38 adjustably mounted ad'- J'acent one end of the shaft?! by a set screw 39.

During operation of the jogger mechanism the arm 40 connecting one end of the shaft 3| is oscillated and this motion is transmitted through the shaft 3| to the arms 34 and plates 35, The teeth of the plates 35 meshing with the'teeth of the arms 3'! oscillate these arms and transmit an oscillating motion through the shaftZl'. to the shield 26. It is to beunderstood that the motion of the jogger mechanism is synchronized withtl'ie sheet feeding mechanism, so that the s shield 25 will move over the flame issuing from the pipe 23, immediately after the end of a sheet '4! has passed over the pipe and into the hopper. 20. 1 In addition to the shielding means I also provide means for diminishing flow of gas to the pipe as the shield 23 is moved over the perforations 30. This means is also actuatedmy the shaft 3i and comprises a valve 120f any desired construction inserted in the supplylineZb adjacent the pipe 23. This valve has a reciprocattimes during the operation of the press.

and also shielding the same at predetermined This mechanism prevents a steady sustained flame which would tend to immediately ignite a sheet of paper or other inflammable ,material if it should accidentally come torest over the pipe 23 instead of being deposited in the hopper 20. While the pipe is merely shielded momentarily, or intermittently, I have found that the construction is such as to prevent immediate ignition or burning of a sheet that has accidentally come to rest over the pipe. Thus, the operator or attendant will have adequate time Within which to move the sheet before it burns and thus prevent injury to the machine.

As an additional means for preventing the sheets from actually coming to rest over the pipe 23, I have provided a guard member associated with thehopper mechanism for preventing the s heets from bouncing back from the hopper to a position over the pipe after they have been discharged from the conveyors H and I2 into the hopper. This guard means comprises a transversely extending plate 46 which is clamped between the top of the wall 2 l and the plugs 2 1 by the fastening elements'25. (See Figure 1.) The upper end of the plate 46 is'bent rearwardly and downwardly to form an overhanging lip 41 which projects within the hopper sufiiciently to engage the edgesof the sheets and thus prevent these sheets from bouncing back outof the hopper and over the pipe 23. The present invention not only provides means for diminishing and shielding the flame from the. sheets at certain intervals, but also employs structure which will prevent accidental return of the sheets from the,

hopper to a position over the pipe.

To facilitate the passage of the sheets over the guard and to prevent smudging of the sheets in the event they are printed on both sides, a plurality ofstar Wheels 48 are provided which pro- Ject through curved slots 49 in the top of the guard. These star wheels are fixed toa shaft 50 suitably journalled between the frame members l8 and l9.

Figure 3 discloses a modified form of the guard 46 in which a horizontal shoulder 5| is positioned between the vertical wall. 52. and the curved lip 53. This isfor the, purpose of extending the lip further into'the hopper without increasing its size. This arrangement may be desirable in some instances where the sheets are of less size than the width of thehopper.

It is understood that the invention is not him ited to the'details of construction shown in the drawing andthat the phraseology employed in the specification is for the purpose of description and notof; limitation..,1'Ihus the flameshieldlng means and the" control valve may be operated from" any? source independently of thepress operatingmeans, and the shield supporting shaft may: be journalled in the side frame members'or other" support if desired.

I claim: 1. In a device of the sheet repository, means for feeding electrically charged sheets to said sheet repository, flame producing means fixedly mounted between the dis- I charge end of'the sheet feeding means and the sheet repository for directing a flame across'the path of the sheets to discharge the electric charge therefrom before they are deposited in the repository, and means for momentarily rendering the vent burning-of a sheet which may come to rest over the flame.

2. In a device of the character described, means' for feeding electrically charged sheet's to asheet repository, a sheetrepository located at the dis charge end of the sheet feeding means to receive the sheets therefrom, flame producing "means including a perforated pipe fixedly positioned be" i tween the sheet feedingmeans and'th'e repository transversely of the path'ofthe sheets, and means for momentarily rendering the flame issuing from the pipe ineffective after'a sheet has passed over the flame, to thereby prevent burning of a sheet which may accidentally come to rest over the flame.

3. In a device of the character described, means for feeding electrically charged sheets to a sheet repository, flame producing means located at the discharge end of the sheet feeding means for directing a flame across the path of the sheets to discharge the electric charge therefrom before they are deposited in the repository, a flame shield movably mounted adjacent the flame producing means, and means for operating the flame shield i T, 1 5 character described, a

to momentarily shield the flame from the path of the sheets after a sheet has passed over the flame,

to thereby prevent burning of a sheet which may accidentally come to rest over the flame.

4. In a device of the character described, means for feeding electrically charged sheets to a sheet repository, flame producing means located at the discharge end of the sheet feeding means for directing a flame across the path of the sheets to discharge the electric charge therefrom before they are deposited in the repository, a flame shield movably mounted adjacent the flame producing means, and means operated in timed relation with the sheet feeding means for actuating the shield to momentarily shield the flame from the path of the sheets after a sheet has passed over the flame, to thereby prevent burning of a sheet which may accidentally come to rest over the flame.

5. In a device of the character described, means for feeding electrically charged sheets to a sheet repository, a sheet repository located at the discharge end of the sheet feeding means to receive the sheets therefrom, flame producing means including'a perforated pipe positioned between the sheet feeding means and the repository transversely. of the path of the sheets, a flame shield movably mounted adjacent the pipe and adapted to be moved over the pipe to shield the sheets from the flame, and means for operating the flame shield to momentarily shield the flame from the path of the sheets aftera sheet has passed over the flame, to thereby prevent burning of a passed over the flame.

6. In adevice nected to the pipe for controlling the flowof gas to the pipe, and means for momentarily. moving the shield over the pipe and operating the valve to diminish the flow of gas aftera sheet'has-.* passed over the flame, to thereby prevent burn-r: ing of a sheet which may accidentallycometo rest over the flame. 1

17. In a device of the character idescribed, means for feeding electrically charged sheetsvto a sheet repository, a sheet repository located at--. the discharge end of the sheet feeding means to, receive the sheets therefrom,iflame producing. means including a perforated pipepositionedq between'the sheet feeding means and the repository transversely of the path of the sheets, a flame shield pivotally mounted across the path of the sheets in parallel relation to the pipe and adapted to be moved over the pipe, a valve connected to the pipe for controlling the flovlh of gas to theipipe, and means operable in timed relation with the sheet feeding means for simultaneously actuating the flame shield and the valve to momentarily render the flame ineffective after a sheet has passed over the flame, to thereby prevent burning of a sheet which may accidentally come to rest over the flame.

8. In a device of the character described, means for feeding electrically charged sheets ,to a sheet repository, a frame for supporting said sheet feeding means, a sheet repository located at the discharge end of said sheet feeding means, flame producing means including a perforated pipe mounted transversely of the frame between 2 and movable to a position over the pipe upon rotation of the shaft, and means operable in timed relation with the sheet feeding means for actuating the shaft to momentarily move the rflame shield over the pipe to shield the flame from the path of the sheetsafter a sheet has the flame, to thereby prevent burning of a sheet which may accidentally come to rest overthe flame.

9. In a device of the character described, means for feeding electrically charged sheets to a sheet repository, a frame for supporting said sheet feeding means, a sheet repository located at the discharge end of said sheet feeding means, flame producing means including a perforated pipe mounted transversely of the frame between the sheet feeding means and the repository, a shaft journalled transversely of the frame adjacent the pipe, a flame shield fixed to said shaft and movable to a position over the pipe upon rotation of the shaft, a jogger shaft journalled on the frame in parallel relation to said shield shaft, and operating connections between said shafts for actuating the shield shaft upon rotation of the jogger shaft whereby the flame shield sheetwhich may accidentally come to rest over;

of the characterv described, means for feeding electricallycharged sheets-toa sheet repository, a sheet repository located at the discharge end 10f the sheet feeding meansto receive the sheets therefrom, flame producing. means including a perforated pipe positioned between the sheet feeding means and the re-x pository transversely of the path of thesheets, a flame shield movably mounted adjacent the, pipe and adapted to be moved overzthe pipe to; shield the sheets from the flame, a valve con-,

means? that flame fromitheqpath 'ofcthe:sheet-.aftema; means foriieedingl electricallyicharged-zsheetsito;a sheet has passed over the flame, to therehy pre-zv aw sheet'rrepqsitbzyy a.tframe;.forisupportingisaidnz ventbumingmf. a .sheet .which may accidentally sheet cfeedingnmeanszra :sheet repository donated :i come-Jtdrestoverithe flame; at the discharge end of said sheetfeedingameansn 10.;In;.a-. device-:of; the characte1=-. dBSGIibBiL 5-; flame producing means positioned betweenith'e meansfor; feeding electricallyocharged sheets ton sheetizfeed-ing meanstandxthe; repository: in zthe azsheet repository, .a. frame -for supporting. said: pathiiofsathe sheetsaiand means; l catedzbetweena sheet .;feeding. means-s a- .sheet IBDDSJUJOIY docatedzi the agflame; tp 'pduhin smeans :andr; the repository r at dahe idischarge .end. of saidsheet feedingimeans; andbpmj eetinggaboye rethe latte gfor, preyenting 5: flame producing. imeans r including ,a perforated If 10 f ancidenta aret nr r E) h i hee s I G E he a e? pipe; mountedtransversely, of. the. frame between after they hageg been discharged! 1111399 the :-rethe sheet feeding means and-"thetrepositorm; aw positgry i a n v shaftijoumalledtransversely.of the frameiadjamv 12 11 3 device; of gthe chai a cter described-,3 centthe. .pipe, a flame shield fixed to said shaft-1 means fqijiieeding eleet cally;ichargemsheets to;- andmovable to aposition over the pipeuponfiro-d 151 a sheetrrepository; a;. f1 amefor supporting said tationoft'the shaft a. jogger t shaft journa1led;.on1; sheet rfee e ii ng;gneans,-. a sheetepository; located; thee-frame in parallel relation to:said:shie1d; at thexgiifili fli e;endyof;said sheetfeeding means g shait;.operating connections. between said=shafits i; flame pgpducing means ppsitioned between the fon actuatingthe. shield shaft cupon rotation of: sheet feeding means andthe reppsitqry in .the the jogger shaft, a valve connected to thehpipe;igo pgfljhp 1 6 1 andlmeanfi d ,between fozucontrolling the flow. of gas to the pipe; and the fla ne, p oduoing means and therepository; operating! connections between thervalvetand; fogryp eventing accidentahreturn of .the sheets jogger shaft whereby the valve will beoperated: oventhaflameaften;they have beendischargedu to.:diminish-the. flow of gas to .the pipetandtthen into .the repgsitory saidfmeans comprising a, flameshield willrmove'overithe -pipe,-tovtherebyuo transyerselyg extending ignardghavingits upper.

prevent burningpf a sheettwhich may accidena endl entdownwardly oven the renositoiytdform tallycome -to restover the flame. an-mgerhanging sheetrretaining lip. 1

11.111 a .device Of the character desci'ibed,:. GEoRGELBJs-AMMoNsZ 

